Clairvoyance

by TheCartoonPrincess

Zim's PAK breaks down one fateful Earth-day which he successfully repairs. His PAK now improved, he sees the world with a new set of eyes. But now he can see people who aren't really there, and who is this little girl following him? Zim learns the truth about... Now complete. Contains characters from Jhonen's comics — though later on in the story.

21. Death-defying love

A/N: early update! Hello again, are you happy to see yet another chapter? This is my favourite one. I found it challenging to write, mostly because I was trying to write it before I went back to uni, and I was desperate to get it done before I was buried in stupid work. I wrote it within a week, and I think it came together wonderfully, much better than how I had it in my head. The only problem is that it is long yet again, but I'm not sure if you consider that a bad thing. There are writers whose main problems are not writing enough, but mine's not writing too much! Since this is fanfiction, I don't give myself word limits (I have to write within word limits for essays). This is for fun...

I named this chapter "Death-defying love", based upon the lyrics in the song 'The Power of Love' by Frankie goes to Hollywood. It's one of my favourite parts of the song, because he seems to really mean it...

As a heads up, more swearing comes up. I generally don't like to do it in practice, but the characters I'm writing for generally would, see. I have to be true to them.

Disclaimer: I don't know whether I do this for fun, or just for protocol, but I honestly, positively don't own the little green alien that is Zim, or the homicidal maniac that is Johnny.

---

...

There that unconscious body lay. Just seventeen-years-old; his borrowed time had finally run out, which he hadn't spent wisely. Though there may be another opportunity in the next life...

His friends had run off the second he collapsed. All that remained now was his victim: the very lady whom he'd dragged into the alley.

She called an ambulance. Despite what he had done, she could never leave someone so helpless. It was lucky the other boys took all possessions but her phone, which she kept inside her coat pocket.

Now she sat at his side, shedding a tear for the boy who hurt her. It was never pleasant to watch a life slip away, especially one so young.

The spirit of the boy watched his lifeless body in shock. The feeling was surreal, but it could never compare to the terrifying thing that had harvested his soul...

"Come. There's nothing left here for you anymore..." the thing said in that icy monotone. Its voice chilled his phantom bones.

A skeletal hand reached out and gripped his shoulder, but he pushed it away, and looked straight into the eyes of death.

"No," he said. "You're not taking me anywhere, you skinny, f**king freak! Stay away from me!"

The cloaked figure stared with those gleaming, hot eyes, until it released a heavy sigh. A gust of cold air brushed against the boy's face; it seemed the beast's breath escaped between the jaws of a skull...

"Let's not make this harder than it has to be; I'd hate to use my full force on you... I need to save my energy for the next client, so do come along nicely."

It reached a hand out again, but the boy recoiled.

"What the f**k's your problem, man? I don't even know you!" he snapped.

Those hot, gleaming eyes tapered, and then a pair of snarling teeth appeared beneath that cowl.

"Oh, you know me," the creature breathed. "I'm that skinny freak you've avoided this entire time! You've been on thin ice for a while... though it's a shame that you chose to live out your final moments terrorizing this poor citizen; a citizen who found it in her to have pity on your lifeless corpse. None of your so-called 'friends' stayed by your side during your last, dying breath... friends you even found worthy enough to succumb to terrible crimes with..."

The boy trembled. "They... they've gone for help. They wouldn't leave their bro. We've all known each other since we were little kids!"

"No, they ran out of fear of getting caught. I'm afraid your death may have interfered with their petty crimes, but you had more interest in this woman than just her purse, didn't you?" he asked, voice dripping like venom.

His white, probing eyes scrutinized the boy till he surrendered...

"All right! I... I wasn't going to do much. Just take her shirt off and—"

The figure seized a hold of his jaw, and pushed him against the wall with questionable strength.

"Say no more. Your kind makes me vomit... It's best you save your explanations for later."

"Where you taking me?"

"To a dreadful, dreary place where dreams cease to exist, though that depends on your cooperation in the next life. Now get into the light."

"What light, you sick freak?"

"This one!" the reaper chirped.

Next, he pushed him inside a light that materialised from nowhere, taking the boy utterly by surprise. The horror of his insidious ways...

The boy kicked and screamed, but his efforts were in vain. The reaper was simply too strong.

"We could make this experience less unpleasant if you didn't struggle so much. Seriously, when will you wretched souls ever learn?"

"No! Take me back! Take me back!"

"Too late," the reaper said, his voice devoid of all emotion again.

They finally disappeared into the light, and into the next world.

His victim waited with his body until the ambulance arrived; she couldn't even find it in her to leave his lifeless side.

He had suffered a heart attack in the pinnacle of his youth. It's true to say that we should live each day as if it were our last...

...

Molly watched as the people of the city left and entered those hospital doors.

Was this the right thing to do? She felt she was intruding, but her baby nephew needed help.

She took a deep breath and entered those spinning glass doors. There were more people sitting in the waiting area to the left of the lobby, where an irritated-looking nurse sat behind a desk.

Many coughs and sneezes came from the waiting area, produced by people suffering from simple ailments that could be cured from home...

She had no idea where to go, and that strange little boy by the desk didn't look too helpful either. He was a ghost.

He could see her, unlike other ghosts, as he seemed fascinated by her presence. He held out his stuffed bear to her next.

She looked surprised by his gesture. "No, it's okay. You can keep it," she said.

He gave a slow, careful nod, and clutched the bear to his chest again.

She read the signs on the walls, pointing to doors and adjacent hallways, but they were medical terms she never knew the meaning of. Which was a shame, because the first sign read "Maternity Ward". She'll find her way...

Her luck turned around then, because a heavily pregnant woman rushed into the hospital with her white-faced partner.

"I'm about to have my baby!" she yelled. "Quick! It's coming! I don't want to give birth in this stupid lobby!" And then she screamed, fingers turning white as she held onto the desk due to another contraction.

She was ushered to another floor by medics next, as Molly joined them inside the elevator.

Once the elevator doors reopened, she found herself standing in a long hall full of screaming mothers. It was like a war-zone, minus the battle, with the sounds of pain everywhere.

So she braved that long hall of screams, with only one thing on her mind — her nephew.

As she passed the first room, she heard the screaming of a lady inside. It could be her sister; she had to give it a try. So she made a beeline through the door, going straight in for the kill...

It wasn't her sister, but the sight was still something to behold...

There the woman sat screaming and sweating, while the midwife worked on her other end.

Her nervous-looking fiancée held onto her hand, as she pushed to no avail.

"Get this thing outta me now! Use a plunger, I don't care, just get it out!" she screamed.

The midwife smiled pleasantly, and encouraged her to push harder. She was scared out of her wits, but she tried to stay poised and professional. This was her first delivery; it was an experience to remember, surely...

"Sweetheart," her fiancé said softly."It's okay. Just keep pushing, and think of our beautiful baby daughter coming into the world."

She squeezed his hand, and pulled him in close. "Shut up…" she breathed.

She was a woman possessed (and she even did the deep, demonic voice from the movie). Where had that sweet, loving woman he'd proposed to gone?

Molly had to leave as that demonic lady scared her. Shortly after, she heard a long, drawn-out scream, and it all seemed to be over.

She poked her head through the door again. She saw the baby at last, but it was all purple and grose, and what the heck was that long thing protruding off her belly?

She held her hand over her mouth, and moved out the room the colour of Zim. But then to her surprise, there came the sound of a happy cry. So she had another peek.

The baby was all bundled up and cute now, lying in the arms of her crying mother. She was such a sweet contrast to the possessed woman she had been before.

Her fiancée was crying too, as he held onto her hand.

"I love you so much..." she told him then. He savoured. There was the girl he proposed to...

"And I love you... both of you... " he said.

They hugged at last.

That tiny bundle was so unaware of the love she just brought into that room. So small, yet powerful.

Molly wiped a tear from her eye, as she decided to leave them in peace.

What a beautiful moment to witness, but her happiness was soon to be replaced with dread. Would her baby nephew meet the same fate?

She had to keep looking. Surely, her sister must be here...

She gave a hopeful glance up the hall next, and there she was: a fair-haired version of her mother going into another room.

This could be it; her first chance to prove herself as a guardian angel.

...

Nny was on a roll today. He had harvested nearly a hundred souls. He was drained of all his energy, but he would recharge again in that mysterious way he does...

He even made time to get a bagel, as he brought his latest victim before he took her to the other side (going for a bagel with the Grim Reaper; it doesn't get any better than that).

Maybe now as he had nearly collected all his souls, the less good and innocent lives will be taken as a bargain. Not that it bothered Nny, being the impassive creature he was, but he had a reputation to uphold. A lousy reaper makes a jobless reaper...

That destiny hadn't turned up once, and he was grateful. He'd hate to get into even more trouble because she had new plans for his victims. She must be doing it on purpose.

Why? Did she have a weird, skool girl crush on him? Not that Nny cared. She weren't his type anyway. What with that harmonious voice, and the bluebirds. Plus, she didn't wear shoes — Nny liked shoes.

Something peculiar occurred before his weary eyes at the bagel place that afternoon: the guy behind the till short-changed his latest customer. Nothing unusual, but it was just the start of a chain of events (he hadn't short-changed Nny, obviously; he wouldn't still be standing there).

Unfortunately, this customer was the shy type, who simply accepted his penniless fate, despite the fact he needed to get a bus home.

The guy behind the till laughed as he walked away. That was until that wild, crazy bitch karma appeared at his side.

She was a terrifying woman. She had a black, gothic appearance, as her hair was in complete disarray.

She grabbed a hold of the cashier's invisible strings, and made him dance like a puppet.

She had him do all sorts of embarrassing things, like kissing his male boss, and dancing around like a monkey. At one point he even took his shirt off, got up on the counter, and swung it around his head before he threw it at a group of angry bikers. It was pretty bad, until he started taking his pants off...

All this was observed by a family of four, of course. The youngest kid started crying.

"Make him stop, Mommy. Make the rude man stop," he cried, covering his innocent eyes.

The guy was fired on the spot, and he left that place like a dog with his tail between his legs. It was just too bad that someone had filmed his antics on their phone (they were all going up on YouTube tonight). That's what you get for short-changing gullible customers; karma really was a bitch.

"Rwahahahaha! What goes around comes around!" karma shouted after him.

Nny watched this entire spectacle as apathetic as usual, though he did suppress a laugh once the kid started crying. It was just like Happy Noodle Boy's adventures all over again — upsetting the public.

He looked at karma with admiration, as she cackled away like a witch. He always did enjoy her strange tactics.

She stopped laughing at once, and looked over. Her eyes lit up once she noticed him sitting at that vacant table (vacant to mortal eyes, but if they sat there they would catch his gloomy vibes like some contagious disease).

"Who's that?" asked his latest victim.

She had been a single mother of four, who didn't care in the slightest for her children, with her drinking, drug-taking and pure neglect.

The children are with relatives now. Nny made sure they had other family; he's not that heartless.

Right now she had acquired the look of a really hungover woman. Her mascara was smudged, and her hair was covered in dried up vomit. She was a complete mess.

And here Nny was, taking her for something to eat after a long night on the town. Maybe he was taking her home, like all the other guys she'd met; why else would he buy her food?

"That's just some crazy bitch..." he replied.

"So why's she coming over here? I don't like the look of her. The friggin' goth..." she muttered.

He eyed her viciously then. Who was she to judge others for the way they dressed? Her dress only reached past her pelvis bone. How he hated people and their hypocritical ways...

Karma appeared at last. She sat in the spare chair across from them, propping her boots up on the table.

"Why, hello, Johnny..." she greeted in that eerie, mocking tone. "Shouldn't you be out reaping or something?"

"And shouldn't you be condemning victims with your creepy powers of manipulation? And it's death to you..." he said.

She pointed her thumb at the counter. "Did you not see my latest work? The guy had it coming..."

"Yes, it was horrifying, now please leave."

"If you wish." Karma looked over at his victim then. "Hey, I know you. You're that mother who abandoned those cute little kids all those times with your partying. So, how's life been treatin' ya?"

"You're not permitted to talk to my clients." Nny rose from the chair. "Come you neglecter of innocent whelps; it's time we took you to the other side..."

She looked up, eyes all a haze. "Don't you mean to bed? I'm not really into skinny guys, but you're cute enough..."

Nny's stomach churned. Not many things made him sick anymore, but that had.

She stood up next, and waited by his side.

"Have fun you two," karma said. "And you may wanna get yourself checked out, Johnny. She's been around..."

"Shut your mouth!" he barked down at her, pushing his victim off him once she tried to give him a kiss. Her breath was a vomit-filled ashtray.

He led her away at last, keeping his distance, and she was more than willing to go with him. That bagel must have won her over.

The former mother turned around for one last time, and stared at karma. The crazy bitch put her thumb to her nose and wiggled her fingers.

She could see it now: the reason she got pregnant with each of those parasitic children when she just wanted to have fun.

Not everyone wants to be a mother, but karma could have chosen a less heartless woman to bear those beautiful kids.

That had been destiny's work, thinking the young woman could turn it all around. But she never did. That's when Nny turned up.

It's a continuous cycle: karma, destiny, and then death...

...

It had gotten pretty late. Zim had been at Elizabeth's for nearly five hours. Skoodge and Molly had formed a new bond, and he was jealous. Green with envy you may say.

"Get your own child, filthy, squishy, gullible Skoodge!" said the voice inside his head. He daren't say it out loud; what would little Molly think of him?

It was nearly six o'clock, so everyone was heading back home. It had been a long day, but still no sign of the baby.

Zim and Skoodge were about to leave out the door, until Molly tethered their feet together with her tiny arms.

Skoodge started screaming next. The vibrations ran down Zim's antennae.

"It was all a trick! I knew it! Her cute charms were a trick this whole time just to lure us into a trap!"

Zim gave a satisfied smile, despite the pain to the antennae. He knew the real reason why she attacked, because he's superior. "Take that, Skoodge!"

"No! Don't leave just yet!" Molly cried next.

Zim looked down at her and sighed. Skoodge was covering his eyes, blubbering, while the tiny human held onto their legs.

"We have to, Molly," he said. "It's getting late. GIR will be worried sick, and I'm afraid he may eat Bob..."

"Who's Bob?" she asked.

"Eh... just my attorney," he replied.

He didn't think Molly would appreciate his taking her late grandmother's cat. They had already put out missing posters...

"Please don't go," she pleaded. "I don't want to be alone. I'm so worried."

Skoodge let go of his eyes next, and laughed so loud that it hurt. "Oh, now I see; she isn't gonna eat us after all! Phew!" Skoodge looked over at Zim then, smug. "I'll take over from here."

Zim stared deadpan. Well it was wonderful while it lasted...

Skoodge started. "It's okay, human smeet. Zim and I will be back tomorrow, or maybe the next day, or the day after that day, or the day after that day, or... wait... what day comes next? My head hurts now!" He gripped his head. Things were moving so fast, he was confused.

Molly looked up with glassy eyes. Zim almost choked. He couldn't resist that gaze.

"But what if something bad happens to the baby? I want you both to be with me."

Zim rolled his eyes. "You'll be fine, Molly. Your parents will be with you. We must go. I can hear GIR crying from here. Bob's claws have that effect."

She smiled next. "I know! You could both stay at my house. We can have a sleep over!"

"A sleep over?" Skoodge asked.

"A strange human custom where they stay over at one other's house," Zim answered for him.

"Oh, you mean like back at the Academy, when we shared a room that night? Remember how the heating ran out, and we—?"

Zim slapped him across the face, and pulled him in close by the shirt. "I told you to never speak of that night again!"

"Sorry," he apologised, "though that was one cold night..."

Zim growled. "I'd advise you to stop talking right now, Skoodge, unless you want me to tear you apart in front of sweet, young Molly?"

"No. I don't like being torn apart," Skoodge said.

Zim let go of him at that, sickened by his presence.

"So, what do you say?" Molly asked next, ignoring their strange moment.

"Oh, all right. I'll give GIR a call, though it depends on what your mother thinks..."

"It's okay. I already asked her, and she said yes!"

"When?"

"Just before I attacked you and Skoodge by the door!"

"Oh. Well that's not creepy..." Zim said.

"Yay, sleep over at my house!"

Molly jumped up and down with excitement. Skoodge joined her in a heartbeat

"Sleep over! Whoohoo!" he yelled, hand in hand with Molly, while they jumped up and down.

Zim groaned. This was going to be a long night.

Irkens don't sleep in the traditional way, so he was going to be up all night. Great, and with Skoodge for company no less.

...

Molly sat on a chair in the corner of the delivery room, while her sister lay in labour.

It had been hours now, and there was still no sign of her nephew.

Like a good little guardian angel, she provided a warm light in the room. She was sure her sister felt it for the slightest moment, though it was soon forgotten as she screamed once again.

She watched helplessly, wishing there was more she could do to put her at ease. Her husband was of considerable help, providing a supportive hand.

A doctor in his mid sixties had seen to the couple, telling them all sorts of medical terms that she couldn't understand. Apparently, Lily's short circus was a predictor to her preterm birth...

What does he mean by circus?

The doctor was named Dr. Casil, and for some reason Molly thought he seemed familiar. Maybe in another universe...

He was old now, but wasn't she supposed to be too?

Next, a nurse addressed him as Dr. 'Squee', and he reprimanded her at once, saying that he was Dr. Casil, and left the room disgruntled. He just couldn't shake off that nickname. That was a rough childhood...

If you had spent most of your childhood being abducted by aliens, living next door to a homicidal maniac, and going for dinner at the devil's house, and even befriending his son the 'antichrist', then it was a wonder that you became a doctor at all, and not, say, be sitting inside a padded cell? He had done his fair share inside one of them too.

Maybe he had a little bear friend, who absorbed all his fears for him, allowing him to live a normal life after all. But his luck was running out, because he was retiring. When you're unmarried and without children, work is all you have...

Then that settled it. This baby was coming tonight. And what then? Would he survive?

Lily was in pain and distress, as she prayed to an invisible entity. "Mom, wherever you are, please look out for me and the baby. I'm so scared. I wish you were here..."

Her husband wiped the sweat off her forehead, giving her as much comfort as he could.

Molly stood up from the chair, and held her sister's hand. "It's going to be okay, Lily, your big sister is here. I promise I won't leave your side. I may have never been there your whole life, but I'm here now..."

Lily's eyes widened, as she felt that strange warmth again. Where was it coming from?

She looked to her hand, and she knew she was there...

"M-Molly?" she said.

Molly smiled down at her, and stroked her forehead. "Yes, you just take it easy, baby sis..."

Despite her warm touch, it cooled down her temperature.

"I'm so glad you're here, big sis..." Lily muttered back, and closed her eyes.

Her husband wondered who she was talking to. She was delirious after all, but he was happy to see that she was comforted at last.

Molly felt that praise next, and looked to the empty chair. She thought she saw the figure of a blonde lady, but she disappeared.

She did hear as clear as the day itself: "Well done, Molly. Your mother is proud..."

Maybe she did stand a chance to be a guardian angel after all.

...

Nny waited with cold detachment, while that man beat that small, cowering form.

The poor creature's cries echoed through the woods, as each one pulled harder on his insides.

It was just so pitiful; an underserved cry of a helpless victim...

It did nothing for him though. No pleasure, just cold nothing. Then why was it pulling on his innards?

To the man's left, a young, brassy woman stood, looking out for any witnesses. She had a 'hate' tattoo running down the length of her brawny arm.

"Hurry up, I think I just heard footsteps," she said.

"I'm not finished yet!" he shot back.

"You're not hitting it hard enough, the thing's still alive! Give me the bat!"

She ripped the bat from his hands, and he rolled his eyes.

He leaned back against a tree. "Why did you ask me to do this, anyway?" he asked.

"This bastard dog is inheriting more of my grandma's cash than I am. A damned f**king mutt! If we get rid of it, then I get all the money. I'm her only grandchild. It should all be mine! But she loved this thing more than she did me... What do I care; she's rotting in hell now."

"Well I don't blame her. You're a bitch."

She punched his shoulder, and he had to bite down on his lip.

This was a girl who liked to use her fists. There was nothing womanly or gentle about her.

"Shut up, and get out my way!"

She stood in position, and readied the bat, but she was soon interrupted.

"Why don't we just shoot it? It'd be quicker," he said, rubbing his shoulder. There will be a purple bruise tomorrow. Man he knew how to pick 'em.

She looked down at the dog, and gave a harsh smile. Her teeth were horrific.

"No. I wanna see the runt suffer..."

The poor animal was shaking, as it released its bowels.

Nny had stalled long enough. He came out from under the shadow of a tree, deciding to put a stop to this madness once and for all.

He raised his scythe, just as the girl lowered her bat, and tore it right through her spine to let the soul escape. Though the scythe possessed magical, harvesting abilities, he still loved the ripping sound it made.

There was a prominent rip in her back, exposing that reddened vertebrate, as the blood gushed out.

It may have been simulated gore, but he savoured the warmth of her blood as it saturated his cloak like a fountain of strawberry sauce. There was that metallic smell he knew and loved.

Her lifeless corpse fell down, but her soul remained intact. She spotted the reaper next, and staggered like a cowering animal. The irony...

The reaper made a sound of amusement then. "Oh, I'd hate to be you right now. I've never been much of a dog lover myself, but it seems that you have angered a higher power greater than the both of us. Cruelty to animals?" He made a mock tutting sound. "You've been a bad girl..."

"Who are you?" she asked.

"That's classified information..." he said, machinelike.

She stepped back. His monotone voice disturbed her.

"Now come along, you disgraceful excuse of a sentient being; there is no place for you anymore in this civilized world of humans. How would you like to be reincarnated as a dog?"

"Get away from me," she hissed.

"That's what you all say..." He sighed, wishing his victims could be less predictable.

"You... you killed me, didn't you? You're sick!"

"Well that makes two of us. You weren't exactly showering that animal with affection, were you?" He groaned, and reached a hand to his head. It disappeared inside his hood.

"Just get into the light already," he said. "I'm bored, and your presence is a major factor in that. After you, I'm done for today. I need to hurry on home so I can go out and party with friends... Heh, I'm still funny."

She wasn't amused in the slightest by his 'friend' joke, as she just stared confused (you had to know him to find it funny in the least).

He watched her gormless expression, disinterested as usual, and grabbed a hold of her elbow.

"Now enough chitchat; you lost your final chance to come willingly..." He dragged her toward the light.

The girl was shocked to see the light. It wasn't there before. She looked to her friend next. He was kneeling over her lifeless body, but she didn't stir.

"Jess?" he asked.

There was no answer.

"Jay! Help! You deaf prick, help me!"

"Oh, he can't see nor hear you..." the reaper said. "It's like we're in a classic Charles Dickens novel, except the only future you'll see is an eternity of suffering. If I were you, I'd choose the life of a dog."

"I don't want to be a mangy mutt, you sick bastard. I want you to take me back now!"

"But I've already done so much damage to your corpse. It'd be cruel to put your soul back in that body. Besides, puppies can be charming creatures. I'm sure you'd make ten times the dog than you ever did the person..."

He threw her into the light as she screamed all forms of expletives, but he remained composed. He was used to it by now.

He was about to follow her into the light, and lead her down his cheerless tunnel, until he heard that cry.

He turned around, and saw that young girl kneeling by the dying animal's side. That heartless woman had already done so much damage, the pooch wasn't going to make it.

She glanced up at Nny, eyes flooded with tears. "How could someone do this?"

He looked the other way. This was not his territory...

"I'm not the best to answer that question. I've done ugly things myself, but I am sorry. I know how much you love those little animals. I do envy your sweet disposition..."

"It's just... I know we're not supposed to be affected, but I can't turn a blind eye to this. I guess I'm not cut out to be a reaper like you."

Nny looked at her again surprised. He wasn't even aware that he was the 'ultimate' reaper.

"We're not exactly in the same league," he assured her next. "Your job is to guide animal spirits to the other side, not hurt and frighten them. You wouldn't have it in you."

"Sometimes I wish I could do more, and prevent these things from happening. I know we can't think that way, but I do. Is that wrong of me?"

He met that concerned look in her eyes. They were a chocolate brown, like her hair...

"Well," he started, shifting his eyes around. "I only reap bad souls, so I hardly want to prevent their deaths... but I find it hard to care about that stuff you mentioned. It's just not in me anymore. I've detached myself too much. But don't take your compassionate nature for granted. It's that very aspect of your personality that granted you your position. They couldn't have picked a better candidate."

She forced a smile. "Thank you for your kind words. They really mean a lot."

He gave her a courteous bow. "Glad to have elevated your spirits."

"I'm Melody, by the way."

"Well, I'm Johnny, but you can call me Nny..."

"Oh... "she seemed confused by the short version. "Okay... I just wish there was a way I could lessen his pain, to put him at ease..."

She looked down at the dog sadly.

"There isn't, but you could harvest his spirit rather than let it pass naturally, before his bodily functions shut down that is."

"How?"

"Well, you don't have a scythe like me, and I would hate to use my brutal weapon on him. I know other reapers reach their hands into the body and pull it out. Some even wave their hand, and the soul appears like a firefly."

"Will it hurt him?"

"Not if you do it correctly. Personally, I like to make sure I remove the soul as painfully as possible, but you're not me..."

Melody looked down at the dog again, hopeless; she was too afraid to put him in any more pain.

The dog was giving up, as the light grew smaller in its eyes...

Nny was torn. Should he just leave her there alone?

His victim was still screaming in the tunnel, as she tried to punch her way out, but the light blocked her blows like a force field.

He made up his mind, and passed his scythe to Melody. He had a few moments to spare...

"Hold this if it please you..." he said.

She grabbed the weapon, and looked at it disgusted. It still had blood dripping off the blade.

Being twelve in form, she was a lot taller than Molly, so she didn't lose her balance so much with the length.

Nny put his hands into the dog's dying body, and pulled out its soul as he cradled it in his arms. The dog's soul wriggled in his arms and licked his face. He hardly appreciated its kisses.

"Here, I believe this belongs to you..." He passed the dog to Melody. His face was full of slobber.

The reaper reclaimed his scythe once again, and she was more than happy to part with it. The blood was icky. Her work involved slobber, and his involved blood.

Her whole demeanour changed once she held the dog. Like all typical animal lovers, she was at her happiest whenever she was near them.

"Hey there, boy," she said sweetly. "You're safe now. No one will harm you anymore."

The dog licked her face too. It was a fluffy thing, a bichon frisé, but now its fur was full and blown again. It was rather cute, Nny had to admit, and lively. It was just happy to meet nice people again. Nny must substitute for nice here.

"So, that's how it's done. It was my first try too," he mused, quite impressed with himself. "Just remember what I showed you, and you'll be harvesting puppies like a pro in no time."

"Thank you, Nny. The dog didn't feel a thing. You were so gentle..."

Nny put a hand on his chin. "Well, that would be a first for me, but I accept your praises."

Next, a new light appeared, and Melody carried the dog towards it. Nny was a little disappointed that a Rainbow Bridge never came, like in the poem.

She faced him before she entered the light. "Goodbye, Nny. I hope we meet again."

"Well our paths may cross once more, though for the welfare of all animals, let's hope it's in different circumstances..."

She laughed, and gave a quick glance back at Nny's victim, who was still punching that force field.

"I hate to say this, but... make sure she gets her comeuppance."

"You have nothing to feel ashamed for, and I promise."

She looked down at the guy, who was performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He was doing it all wrong, regardless, but it still wasn't going to work.

Nny followed her gaze. "He's not on my list, unfortunately, but I know karma won't let his deed pass by. She'll handle things from here. Hopefully, his next doggie encounter will be with an angry German shepherd."

"It doesn't matter now. I guess these things happen for a reason. Well, I better get going. This little guy won't stop squirming... oh, and the bridge is on the other side," she said with a smile. It was like she read his thoughts; it wasn't wholly impossible.

Nny glanced into the light. It was such a glaring contrast to his and far more welcoming. He saw a bright array of colours next in the shape of a bridge, leading into a heavenly bliss; so much nicer than his dank, dark tunnel.

"Well that's a relief, I guess," he said. "I never believed in the poem till now. For one most animals are colour blind; a Rainbow Bridge just never cut it for me..."

She laughed at his comment, shaking her head, and finally disappeared into the light to go over that bridge. Nny assumed dogs acquired coloured vision on the other side. That was his conclusion.

Well there's another new little friend he just made. Nny really was becoming good with kids now.

He turned back towards his own light; his victim was doing karate kicks now, but the force field still wouldn't budge.

When will these souls learn?

He finally approached the light, and dragged her up the tunnel kicking and screaming.

What suffering would she endure at his hands?

...

Molly ran into her room full of excitement. Zim and a happy-looking Skoodge followed her inside.

Her room was decorated in green jungle patterns; not girly in the slightest. There were even spaceships hanging off her ceiling, and glow-in-the-dark stars. It was like a jungle/space scene.

Despite her room's boyish demeanour, she had stuffed animals on her top bunk. They were mostly of animals, but there were alien dolls too.

"I can't believe two aliens are staying over at my house! We can stay up all night and play space games! Or we could watch my favorite movie Aliens..." she held up the DVD.

"Aren't you a little too young for that movie?" Zim asked.

"... Yeah. I stole it from Gregg's room. Shhh," she put her finger across her mouth. Gregg was her college-aged cousin, of course.

Skoodge looked at the front cover of the DVD. So scary.

"I would rather watch a different movie." He looked through her DVD collection. "Ooh, 'The Little Mermaid.' That sounds nice."

"The little what...? No, Skoodge," Zim said, sitting inside a woven chair. It was entwined with a stuffed snake.

"But I like mermaids. A mermaid saved me from drowning at sea! At least I think it was a mermaid... It was the other type of mermaid though, with the fish part on top."

Molly scoffed, "You're so weird, Skoodge. Mermaids are so make-believe..."

"Wiser words have never been spoken," Zim said.

"Well I know what I saw!" Skoodge stamped his foot next, and folded his arms

"We won't watch Aliens if you don't want to, Skoodge," Molly said sweetly.

"Thank you. I think we should all tell each other our dreams instead. I'll go first! One day, I dream to become king of my own castle, with a chocolate moat and a marshmallow drawbridge..."

Molly stared at the bumbling buffoon, speechless. She looked over at Zim next.

"Where did you find him?" she asked.

"In my basement. He hasn't been the same since. He was a remarkable Invader too. Not as much as I, but he was. Conquered a whole planet."

"Yes, but then Invader Grappa took all the credit. He is handsome though: the perfect poster boy for Operation Impending Doom II!" Skoodge said, agreeing that Grappa was handsome (he really was).

Molly looked confused. "But...you told me you were a scientist. Did you come to Earth to invade, Zim?"

Zim's eyes widened. He slapped his face next. There he goes with his big mouth...

"Yes, I did, Molly," he confessed. "But that was in the past. Now I have no desire to destroy your ball of dirt."

"Destroy? But I thought you were a good guy..." Her little voice sounded so broken. It must be like finding out Santa's an old, rotten drunk who hates kids.

"I'm not," he said. "Well, now I'm... I don't know what I am now."

He looked up at her disappointed face then; he had never felt so bad.

"I failed my conquest," he assured her. "An insult to my race, I gave in to your planetary defences..."

"You mean when you found love?" she asked.

"Yes. I'd hate to be of a disappointment to you. You really mean a lot to me, Molly. I could never dream of hurting you or anyone you love now."

"Aw, Zim. That was beautiful... Group hug!" Skoodge shouted.

"Skoodge, Shut up!" Zim snapped.

Molly continued. "But... Skoodge never failed. You said he took over a planet..."

Skoodge looked surprised. He saw the little girl deflate, so he tried his best to answer her.

"Do not worry, Earth smeet. That... that was before my..." he stopped, squeezing his eyes shut, but he couldn't stop the words from escaping, "my Tallest shot me out of a cannon, and cast me away!" His hand flew up to his mouth.

What would the Tallest do to him now? Nothing. They're light-years away.

"But you still killed people..." she murmured, eyes on the ground.

Skoodge's little face fell. "I did," he admitted. "Despite their being slaughtering rats, I still took lives for a useless cause. Oh, there it goes again; that disobedient voice! I have to make it stop!"

He grabbed a green lamp with stencilled leaf patterns next, and whacked it against his head. "Bad Skoodge, bad Skoodge, bad Skoodge!" he yelled.

Zim bit his lower lip. He was dying to laugh. Skoodge was punishing himself like a little house elf...

Molly took the lamp away from him, and for good reason; he could take his eye out.

"It's okay, Skoodge. You don't have to hurt yourself. I know you're good now."

"You do?" he said.

"That's not why he's... oh, what do I even care?" Zim gave a wave of the hand. "Continue..."

"Yes, I trust you, Skoodge."

She hugged him then, and the fat Irken started bawling like a baby.

"Thank you, Molly. This means so much. My... my friend..." The foreign word tasted so sweet on his tongue.

"We are friends," she said.

Molly pulled Zim off the chair, and hugged them on either side of her arms.

Zim and Skoodge's faces couldn't be any more different. Skoodge was crying, but Zim was plain old deadpan. He hated being a part of this 'three musketeers' trio with Skoodge. It was a double act, containing only him and Molly!

"I love you, you evil alien monsters," she cooed, bringing them in closer.

"And we love you too," Skoodge replied.

"Yeah... but I don't love Skoodge," Zim said.

"Can... can I see how you really look now? Take your disguises off!"

Zim and Skoodge exchanged a nervous glance. It wasn't that they didn't trust her, it's just years of training had rendered them hesitant to reveal themselves to enemy eyes...

"Not now, Molly," Zim told her.

"Why? It's only me..."

"But we're inside your house; it's off-putting. Another time, I promise."

"Okay, I understand..." She looked up at his wig, and pulled it off his head. A pair of giant insect feelers took its place.

Skoodge gasped, but Molly was beaming.

"Cool! You have insect feelers!" she squealed.

Zim growled, and snatched the wig out of her hand. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?!"

"We're in my room, silly. No one else can see us."

She reached up and tapped his right antenna, giggling with delight as it wobbled.

"Stop that!" he yelled.

"Now take your fake human eyes out!" she said.

Zim glared at her, as he finally gave in to defeat. "All right! If I must."

He pulled his contacts out. Molly froze, and gazed up into his huge, red orbs.

"Wow... I... I can see myself in your giant eyeballs..."

She moved in closer to get a good look of herself, and pulled a face.

He took a step back. Her human face was too close for his liking.

"You did always have nice eyes, Zim," Skoodge said all of a sudden.

Zim looked at him disgusted. "What?" he asked.

Skoodge shuffled his feet. "I was just being honest. Everyone likes a compliment..."

Zim wasn't sure what to say. Thank you maybe?

"They look so jelly-like..." Molly poked his left eye next.

"Ow!" the Irken yelped. "Keep your germy fingers out of my eyes!"

"Ewww, they are like jelly!" she squealed, wiping the goo onto his uniform.

"Enough!" He pushed her away. "Go and poke Skoodge now. My ocular implants are not a toy! I do have spares, however..." Zim put a finger to his chin. No, his eyes weren't for her fingers.

"You... you can remove your eyes?" she said.

"Yes," he replied indifferently.

"Let me see!"

He was about to protest, until he looked up at Skoodge. The idiot had removed his right eye; it hung from its empty socket like a tether ball. He held his sunglasses in his left hand.

"Oh Molly..." he said.

Molly turned around, gasping in awe once she saw his hanging eyeball.

"It's so grose! Does it hurt?"

"No, I don't feel a thing..."

"Put your eyeball back in, Skoodge. You look ridiculous!" Zim snapped.

"Sorry..." He placed his eye back in once again.

Molly walked over to Skoodge, and removed his wig to look at his feelers.

"They're just like Zim's. You could be brothers..."

Zim growled. They did share genes—all Irkens do to a degree—but the comment made his spooch twist.

"Hey, can I tie your feelers together? It'd be so funny!"

"No!" they both yelled.

Apparently, antennae were an intimate thing that should never touch (it is how some Earth insects mate after all).

"Molly, keep it down in there," her mother called through the door.

The Irkens put their disguises back on then, quicker than lightning.

Molly giggled. The Irkens didn't share her enthusiasm.

"Let's play a game now," she said.

"Like what?" Zim asked.

"Like... pillow fight!" Molly grabbed a pillow, and whacked Zim hard across the face.

The Irken fell back in the chair, barely conscious, as he groaned in confusion.

Skoodge grabbed another pillow, and hit him too.

Zim seized his pillow at once, and ripped it to shreds. Feathers floated through the air and into Zim's mouth. He spat it out, but he never took his eyes off the chubby Irken.

Skoodge looked sorry now.

Before Zim was about to cause any real damage to his fellow Irken, Molly whacked his face again with her pillow. It was okay when she did it.

Instead of grumbling like a miserable idiot, he grabbed a pillow for himself, and hit the girl across the head.

And so the three of them fought in a battle of pillows and feathers; Skoodge just had to avoid hitting Zim. This went on till Molly fell asleep.

One minute she was up and running about, and then the next she was passed out on her pillow.

Zim and Skoodge stood over her sleeping form, holding their pillows aloft.

"What happened? Did we break her?" Skoodge asked.

"Don't be silly. We just wore her out. She'll be out all night now, and it's only half past eight..."

Skoodge's face grew wicked then. It was unsettling. "Hey, I know what we should do; let's sneak her back to the base, and we can have fun all the time!"

"No, Skoodge, that would be kidnapping... Not acceptable on this planet. What is wrong with you?" Zim asked, aghast.

"I... I just really enjoy her company. She's my new friend. I want her around always."

"And keeping her locked away inside the base is a way to express your fondness?"

"Uh... Wow, that does sound bad."

Zim patted his shoulder. "It's okay, Skoodge. All is forgiven. I myself have succumbed to her adorable powers."

"She does look cute right now," Skoodge said, looking over her. "Who knew humans were so charming as smeets?"

"They really are, until they grow up! Oh well. We may as well enjoy her while her cuteness lasts..."

Zim sat back in the chair. This was going to be a long night. Maybe he should head back home. Molly was asleep; she won't notice. But then he watched her there, sleeping peacefully, and made his mind up to stay.

He stood up from the chair, and lifted her in his arms, using his PAK legs to reach her top bunk and tuck her inside.

She had a long, stressful day, so it was no surprise she went out like a light.

He looked down at Skoodge; he was looking through her DVD collection again.

What would he pick out this time?

Zim braced himself for the long night ahead.

...

Nny had finally reached his target of 250 victims. A very impressive number, but it still wasn't everyone on his list. There were at least a thousand more...

The thought of reaping every victim was overwhelming, so he decided to call it a night. 250 should be fine. Hopefully the souls he reaped will balance out the cycle a bit.

His scythe had taken him outside the hospital. He was unsure of why it would bring him here; he was looking for Molly after all.

He couldn't stand how he left things between them, so he decided to patch things up with her again. But shouldn't she have found Zim by now? Why the hospital?

One of his victims was also here tonight, suffering from a gunshot wound. Nny was tempted to go in and reap him, but he just didn't have it in him now.

This victim was a bad cookie too. Another of many rapists, a gunshot just didn't cut it. The gunshot was karma's work, of course...

Nny saw those sick people going through the hospital doors, so he made his way over.

They were rotating glass doors, as he waited out of habit. It was also kind of fun; walking through them wouldn't have been so exciting. He did this with automatic doors too (how they sensed his footsteps was a mystery).

It was busy inside the foyer—must be a bug going round—as the sight of all those sick people amused him. One guy was throwing up in a bag; some even came out of his nose.

He saw a ghost of a little boy by the receptionist's desk. He was pointing at him...

He hovered over. "Yes, what is it?" he asked.

The boy just stared at him for a while, and then pointed to the sign that read "Maternity Ward".

Why would Nny, as a form of death, have any interest in a place where new people are born?

"Maternity ward? I think you're mistaken..." Nny said.

The boy shook his head slowly. His face was pale, as he had dark shadows under his eyes. He could have been an adorable child once with his shock of mousy hair, but, alas, he had succumbed to this ghoulish fate...

"You're one creepy ghost kid. No offense. Cute bear, by the way..."

The boy glared at him then, and held his bear closer. No one had obviously taught him to share.

Nny left him there. He hated being around ghosts for too long; their lingering made him sick. A shame no one had come to reap his soul. Judging by his white overalls, he died a patient here.

Now where does he go from here? Why would Molly be in this hospital? He finally realised what the kid was showing him. Had he seen Molly?

He looked at that sign for the maternity ward again as he let out a groan. Going into a place where life begins rather than ends was just too much, but he walked through those doors regardless.

...

Molly provided a guiding hand all the way through Lily's labour, and at two minutes past midnight, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.

To hear that tiny cry was a relief, but their happiness wasn't to last. He was rushed to intensive care at once.

She saw the slightest glimpse of him. A tiny thing he was, hardly bigger than the hands that took him away...

Lily was exhausted, but she still found the energy to cry out for the baby she never got to hold.

Molly had never felt so helpless. There wasn't more she could do now. His fate lay in the hands of a greater force now...

She gave one last sympathetic glance in her sister's direction, and followed those medics that whisked her baby nephew away.

She followed them to a room with a viewing window, and there they fixed him up to a scary-looking machine. It was so terrifying and monstrous compared to that small baby...

Molly took a brave step towards the incubator, and choked back a sob.

There he lay with all those wires attached to his body. Poor thing; his very bodily functions depended on this life-sustaining machine. Born nineteen weeks premature, his organs had not fully developed.

The little girl was too young of the mind to understand the details, but she cried for him now.

Why did he have to be in there all alone? He should be in the arms of his mother. So small and helpless... her heart shattered to pieces.

She vowed to stay by his side, no matter the circumstances. She could never forgive herself if anything happened to him while she was away. She came back to Earth for a reason, and that was to help her nephew.

"I won't ever leave your side, I promise..." she said.

She reached her hand through the holes of the incubator. His hand was tiny in her palm, but she relished his touch, and for a moment he may have enjoyed hers.

His hand tightened around her finger next with a feeble grip.

...

Nny should have taken the elevator. Walking up so many flights of stairs, even if you're a reaper, was tiring. But he'd never succumb to sleep. He never did; that was the irony.

He finally made it to the top floor, and walked through those double doors — too lazy to even think about opening them. He found himself in a long hallway next with the sound of screaming everywhere.

He was used to the tortured screams of victims, but this was a different kind of torture (the "squeezing a little person out of your rear end" kind... ouch).

There is no other pain like it they say. Nny, unfortunately, could never relate, no matter how many times he was kicked in the nuts (hate to be the person who ever kicked him down there).

And now as he listened to the screams of those helpless woman, he could feel his entrails squirming inside his gut like a can of worms...

Screaming usually made him chuckle, but not this. Never this. He had to get away fast.

He looked so ironic, walking down that hallway dressed as the Grim Reaper while screaming women gave birth. It was an ominous thought; it was a place where life begins...

And he could smell it, the stench of new life — a sweet, sugary scent. It was foreign to him, and quite frankly unsettling. It's just not what he's used to.

He saw that man dressed in a suit of pure white straight up the hall. The florescent lights flickered above his brilliant form. His hair was smooth and golden, as he was as handsome as an old movie star.

Nny recognised him instantly. If there was a harvester to end life, then surely there must be a bearer to provide the new?

Delivering new souls into the world, he must be life...

The flamboyant gent met his gaze next, and his smooth expression changed. Why was death here?

Regardless, he smiled graciously, as was his usual way, and left Nny to do his business.

They were familiar with each other's work, so naturally they respected one another, but Nny saw that questioning gaze in his eyes. He could understand. Who was he here to reap? These were newborn babies. Hardly had a sin to their name...

Nny stopped right there. Why was he here? And where was Molly? He had walked the ends of heaven and Earth for her, literally, and why? He was a respectable reaper; he had a role to fulfil, just as life did his, and he would sabotage all that for a girl he met for five minutes?

He really didn't know himself anymore, though in fact he hadn't known who he was for a while...

At least when he was alive, he still felt something. Albeit insanity, but there had been a touch of humanity in him back then, maybe even remorse?

Though he would never contemplate being a waste-lock again, at least he had felt things then too, like fear, guilt, and sadness.

The guilt was debateable, due to his old sickness that clouded his reasoning. Now he never felt anything; just cold, empty wind that rattled his bones...

But cold intellect was what he wanted after all. No more superfluous emotions to cater for...

When he put it into real perspective, he had become the very thing he tried so hard not to be: a slave, harvesting souls for a greater cause...

It was a means of making amends for his behaviour on Earth, but he wasn't killing by his will anymore. It was bad to consider killing as a pastime, but he knew it was wrong. Maybe, if just a small part of him...

The worst aspect of his new 'servitude' was that he was a dead slave now, mimicking death itself. Even sadder was that he hardly cared. Who had he become? Was he really anybody anymore if he was devoid of all emotion? The old, true Johnny was long gone now.

Despite how much pain the need for desire can bring, it must be better than this. He knew that because he'd felt it: a new spark growing inside some hidden part of him.

His eyes settled on that NICU sign (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), as he followed its direction. He couldn't understand why he was drawn to it.

Why would Molly be in there? Was she caring for some sick baby?

It seemed to have finally dawned on him, and he wasted no time in going to investigate.

...

Molly watched in horror as those medics placed that tube inside her nephew's mouth. But he wouldn't take it.

Her sister stood outside the viewing window, holding onto her husband. What was happening?

"He won't take the ventilator. He has minutes to live..." one nurse cried.

A ventilator? She wasn't sure what that was exactly, but she had learnt that it helped him to breathe. With his underdeveloped lungs, he couldn't do it alone.

She put her hand through the incubator. "Please take it, you need it to breathe..." she begged.

As if by a miracle, he took that ventilator, and breathed once again. Had he heard her?

She had never felt so proud of herself then. Maybe everything will just be all right. It had been some time since his birth, and he was proving to be a real fighter.

Lily cried for joy, knowing that someone somewhere was looking out for her baby boy.

She brushed his head. "I know you can make it. Please don't give up..."

His small eyes flickered open. They were opaque and colourless; she must be nothing but a bright blur, but he seemed to sense that she was there. Her light was warm, and despite the temperature of his incubator, hers was more distinct.

"Hello, I'm your Aunt Molly," she said. "I've never seen anything as beautiful as you. Not even heaven could compare..."

He squeaked, and it made her heart melt. So adorable. Was he talking to her?

"I know, I hear you. I won't ever leave, I promise..." She stroked his downy head, and he closed his eyes once again.

Molly froze, feeling that neutral aura behind her. The energy was ominous and spooky, but it didn't frighten her. It was an energy she knew well now.

She turned around, and there was that hooded figure behind the glass. It pulled its hood down to reveal that worried face.

"Nny?" she said.

He looked at her sister uncertainly, as she shivered in his presence (she felt that bad omen again). So he walked through the glass, and into the room beyond to put her at ease.

"Molly... what are you doing here?" he asked. He had that confused, worried look on his face again.

She didn't say anything. Instead, she looked to the tiny form inside the incubator.

"Oh, I see," he said. "Is he a friend of yours?"

"I couldn't leave him. He's so small..."

"He really is. Such a shame..."

She looked up at him darkly. His words seemed to anger her. "What is?" she said. "Nothing's gonna happen to him!"

Nny studied her there, and he almost looked sympathetic.

She turned away from him, and focused her attention back on the baby. "Why did you come here?" she asked in that harsh tone.

He was surprised by her hostility. What did he say?

"I came to see how you were," he replied. "I hated how I left things between us. So, to make up for my deserting you, I got you an ice cream! A dessert for an 'unjust' desert... It's a fun play on words."

He held out that blue ice cream cone next.

"I don't feel like ice cream now," she said, never moving her eyes off the baby. It seemed to hold some power over her.

He looked a little deflated. "Oh... well, not to worry. I'd eat it myself, but the artificial coloring doesn't agree with my spooky energy..." He threw the cone away next, and it landed on top of a poor nurse's head.

"My brain! It's so cold! Brain freeze! Braaaain freeeeze!" she yelled, running out the room to go to the brain freeze ward. It's a real thing...

"Whoops. I should probably be more careful. This is a neonatal unit—"

"I know why you're really here, Nny. Please don't hide it from me. I'm not as young as I look..."

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"You're here to reap my nephew, but I won't let you. I will fight you again..." She glared up at him.

He stared down at her incredulously, and then released that loud laugh. "You think I'm here to reap the baby? Seriously, did you never listen to a thing I said? I talk a lot."

"It wouldn't make any difference to you anyway whether you reaped an innocent baby or a murderer. You don't care!"

"What have I done to deserve such hostility? Everything I've done is for you, Molly. I never loved anything enough to put their priorities ahead of mine. Not that you can blame me; no one had ever done the same for me... So please do show a little more gratitude. I'm not here to reap your nephew, so don't bring it up again."

Molly stared at him surprised. "You... love me?" she asked.

His eyes widened. "No. I... I didn't say that..."

"You did, just then!"

He rolled his eyes. "I was just using love in a past sense. I don't love now..."

She shook her head. "I know, because you're all cold and unfeeling, like a robot man."

"Exactly. My chest is hollow."

"It's what?"

"Like that tinman from the Land of Oz? Forget it. I guess your head is just as empty. All we need is someone who lacks courage..."

Molly turned quiet as she concentrated on the baby. "Nny..." she said. "Do you know what will happen to him? Please be honest with me."

His face took on that sympathetic look again; he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth, not right away. Something made him hesitate.

She seemed to understand. His silence said it all...

"He won't die, I won't let it happen!" she yelled.

"You can't stop it, Molly..."

"Why not!"

"Because they are the rules of death; you can't pick favorites. And I hate to say this, but the universe isn't going to favor your nephew over billions of others because of his underdeveloped size. He's already on borrowed time; that ventilator is the only thing sustaining his tiny body. Letting him go would be the kindest thing..."

"How can you say that? He's just a baby! You really are evil!"

"It may not be what you want to hear, but it's the truth. I'm sorry. And I'm neutral..."

"I don't want your stupid apology because I know you don't mean it. You don't care about anything! Stay away from my nephew!"

Nny turned away from her. "I guess coming here was a mistake... I'm sorry to have intruded."

"Yes, now go away!"

"If that's what you wish... When you want to return to heaven, give me a call. I still have to get you back."

"Why, so you won't get into trouble?"

He looked down at her again, face livid. "Yes..." he emphasised slowly. "I'm finding it hard to dismiss your mocking tone..."

"I'm not afraid of you, Johnny..."

"No, you're not. But don't push your luck!"

He turned on his heel, and moved out the room again.

He felt a little dejected, but Molly was right. He really didn't care about anything. So what was he feeling right now? She was very mean to him, but he was used to being rejected.

She was just being ungrateful, but he could understand why she was upset. That baby boy's life was hanging by a delicate thread...

Nny looked back through the glass, and then he saw her: that woman in black standing over the baby...

Molly didn't seem to register her. This was going to be hard.

Despite how she treated him, he couldn't leave her there alone. Not while her baby nephew was slipping away.

...

Zim hadn't slept a wink at Molly's, but Skoodge on the other hand had defied all laws of Irken biology, and slept right through the night; he really was an odd specimen. He also released gas, whereas most Irkens did not. Strange again. He wasn't a defect either...

Now they walked back to the base. Zim's eyes were bloodshot from listening to the ex-Invader's snoring all night from Molly's bottom bunk. That was after they watched a movie about 'Little Women'. Skoodge had cried for some time. Such a long night...

"When Beth died, I just couldn't contain myself. She... she was the shy one, like me..." Skoodge said, softly.

"You're not shy," Zim replied. "You release gas at the drop of a hat, and don't even seem embarrassed by your vulgarity..."

"Oh yeah," he laughed, "but it was just so sad. I never knew Earth movies could be so..."

"So what?" Zim asked.

"So beautiful and heartfelt. I think I finally understand the true concept of family..."

"Oh, you do now, do you? Well, keep it to yourself."

Skoodge went on. "When an Irken dies, no one sheds a tear. No one shed a tear for me..."

"Yes, but just be grateful that you came back from the dead countless times."

"I just wonder how the newborn smeet's doing. I thought the human gestation period lasted forty weeks. Why is he coming into the world at only twenty-four?"

"I don't know, but human fetuses aren't kept inside an artificial incubator for the duration of fetal development... They stay inside their mothers' wombs. Placentals are strange creatures."

"It's all just so sad..."

"It is..." Zim agreed.

They finally made it to the base. Zim saw that purple-haired girl sitting outside the door. Dib was there too.

He was surprised by how unaffected he was by their mere presence. Maybe he was happy to see them? Hours of Skoodge nonstop might have something to do with it.

"Hello, Membrane siblings," he said. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Hey, Zim, hey Spoodge," Dib replied.

Skoodge twiddled his fingers next. "It's Skoodge…" he muttered.

Dib shifted his eyes, and then scratched the back of his head. "Oh, of course. My mistake..."

"It's okay, big-head... I mean... Dip." Skoodge squeezed his eyes, as if he might receive a blow.

The spectacled boy watched him then, unamused. "Dib..." he said coolly.

The Irken tapped his fingers together this time, looking at everything but Dib. "Uh-huh..." he mumbled.

Gaz looked up at Zim with those penetrating, yellow eyes.

"What?" he asked, terrified of her expression as always.

"Where have you been? We've looked all over for you," she said.

Zim put his hands on his hips. "And why's that?"

Gaz exchanged a knowing glance with her brother, and then met his gaze again.

"It's Molly..."

Zim shook his head. "M-Molly?" he said.

"She's back. I tried to call you sooner, but you had other affairs..."

"She... she's back? Since when?!"

"Yesterday."

He gripped his forehead. "But why hasn't she come to see me? I... wait, of course... she's gone to the hospital!"

"Why is she at the hospital?" Dib asked.

Zim looked up at him with glassy eyes. "Her sister's there, having a baby..."

Dib's eyed widened. "A baby? But isn't she like... five months or something?"

"Yes..." Zim replied.

"Oh... " Dib glanced away next. "Poor Samuel..."

"Who's Samuel?" Zim asked.

"He's Molly's nephew. I spoke to him at the wake. He's a cool kid."

"I talked to his sister too," Gaz said.

"Oh, right, yes. Lily's other children..."

Zim watched as they took on similar expressions. He never saw them look so sad. They were good kids, despite their peculiarities.

"So what now?" Dib said.

"I have to get to the hospital. I have to be there for Molly."

"Should I come too?" Skoodge asked.

"No, you stay here. This is personal. Molly's an old friend." Zim ran out the yard as he made his way to the hospital.

Now all that remained were Dib, Gaz and Skoodge.

Skoodge looked at everything from the sky, the fence, and even the ground below his feet, until he decided to talk.

"So, Earth smeets," he said. "Would you like to do something fun today...?"

The siblings stared at him deadpan, and then moved out the yard again to go home.

Skoodge slumped his shoulders. "Okay, maybe another time. At least Molly still likes me..."

Gaz ground her teeth, and spun back around again. "Oh all right!" she snapped. "But if you eat all the food in our fridge again, you'll be going home with more than just a bruise this time."

"You call that last time just a bruise?" Skoodge asked, taking a step back. What did the girl consider a powerful beating?

"Are you coming or not?" she said.

"So I can come with you?"

"Yes, but only if you swear to tell me everything about your Irken race. Zim's always hesitant; I've managed to recover some of my own details, but you can fill me in on a little more..." Dib said, folding his arms.

"Oh, okay..." Skoodge looked a little confused, but he was excited regardless. "This will be so much fun!"

"Yeah, sure, whatever..." Dib replied.

Skoodge put an arm around each of their shoulders. They pushed him away, so he kept his arms to himself for the rest of the walk home.

...

Nny watched behind the glass in dread. Molly finally saw that woman...

"Who... who are you?" she asked.

The woman looked down at her with cool, impassive eyes. She had a different coldness to Nny. While his was cheerless and robotic, this woman's was calm and unsettling...

She was striking with her tanned skin and long, brown hair, but her dark eyes frightened Molly.

"I'm here for the child..." the women replied in that soft monotone.

Despite how scared she was, Molly felt that protective urge again. "No. There's still time..." she said.

"There is not. His has almost run out. This is how it has to be..." she consoled, but she was far from comforting.

She reached her hands into the incubator, but Molly grabbed her wrist. The woman looked up at her then, eyes cold.

"Don't you dare make another move..." Molly breathed. Her eyes shone electric blue.

The woman was completely unmoved by her threatening tone, or the bright glare of her eyes.

"Let go of my hand," she ordered.

Molly wrinkled her nose. "No. I won't let you take him."

"There will be dire consequences if you don't let me continue, child. You wouldn't want to get into trouble, would you?"

"I don't care. I'm not afraid of you!"

The women narrowed her eyes. "Do not raise your tone with me..."

"Or what?" she spat.

Nny sensed those opposing forces at odds over the baby's life. It was a dangerous energy that merged between them.

He finally entered the room through the glass window.

"Molly," he said. "Let go..."

The little girl never turned her back for a second. "No. I won't let her take my nephew!"

"You must. Sometimes these things have to happen..."

"Not if I can help it!"

The women looked up at Nny next. "Is this girl a friend of yours, reaper?" she asked.

He met her cold expression. How does he reply to that? Friend? He didn't know what Molly was to him in all honesty.

"Yes. She is..." he said.

"Then I suggest you talk some sense into your 'friend' before she causes any real damage. I won't be rebuked by a foolish girl."

"There's no need to grow hostile; she's just feeling a little mournful. He is her sister's child after all... You understand, don't you?"

"No, and neither should you, fellow reaper..." she emphasized harshly.

Nny watched her impressed. "Oh, you're good — so unsympathetic. I respect that, but I have to excuse my little friend's behavior here. She's still just a child herself."

"I can see that, but it still won't stop me using my full power over her. So I'd advise you to talk to her now."

Molly glared at her hatefully. She didn't scare her...

Nny, however, didn't share her defiance. He didn't want a war to break out, especially in a hospital of all places. Respect the ill and all that.

He may have been soft with Molly when she threatened his authority, but he wasn't so sure if this lady would be so forgiving. She wasn't the type you wanted to piss off.

"Come along, Molly. Let the nice lady do her job..."

She turned around and finally looked at him. He felt that stab to his chest again; he had never seen anyone look so betrayed as she did.

"No!" she yelled. "How could you just let her take him? I thought you were my friend? You should be on my side!"

"I don't take sides, Molly, you know that. If you had any real affection for your nephew, you would let his passing be as peaceful as possible..."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I can't just stand idly by and watch my nephew die!"

He looked away from her now; he couldn't bear that pained look in her eyes any longer.

Molly had loosened her iron grip around the lady's arm. Quickly, before she noticed, the lady detached the ventilator from the baby's mouth.

Molly detected her movements in an instant, and turned around to fight her, but Nny dragged her away in time.

He carried her kicking and screaming, just about managing to get a hold of her despite her strength, but he was stronger. He had to be for her sake.

"Let me go! Let me go, now!" she screamed, trying to free herself.

The scythe provided some help, as he used its staff to block her passage. He wasn't having the best of days...

Molly watched in horror as the lady cradled that small soul in her arms. His body remained in the incubator as lifeless as a doll, as medics came rushing to his side.

"Put him back! Please, don't take him away!" she cried.

The woman met her gaze once again, and she almost looked sorry. Despite her cold disposition, she could never feel victorious in taking a child from this world.

Nny tried his hardest to remain impassive, as Molly gave up her struggles at last. She knew it was useless now, no matter what she did.

So he finally loosened his hold. He watched as she collapsed to the floor, crying in a crumpled heap at his feet.

Then he felt that strange, stabbing motion running through his entire body, and he knew it was hopeless now. He just couldn't bring himself not to care. His cold, icy exterior finally cracked.

"Please, Nny," he heard her say. "Do something, anything. Just don't let her take him away..."

He looked down into those little pools of blue, feeling that tug pulling on his chest. His eyes moved to the window, where he saw that grieving couple holding each other.

He smacked his forehead, bringing his hand down the length of his face as he released that irritated growl. "All right! I'll see what I can do..."

Molly looked up shocked. "You... you will?"

"Yes, now stay here," he said, approaching the lady in black just as she was about to slip away. There was no light to be seen. Odd.

"Hold on, don't leave just yet," he said.

She stopped and stared at him suspiciously.

"Why? I have to take this baby."

"Yes, I can see that, but would you be prepared to make a bargain? One of my souls for yours?"

Her eyes turned cold once again. "That is forbidden. You ought to know that, reaper."

"Yes, but unfortunately, current circumstances have rendered me weak. I know, it's embarrassing. You just let me deal with the consequences..."

"Why are you doing this?"

His face turned deadpan. "That's a question I wish I could answer..."

She glanced over at Molly, seeing that hope in her eyes, and met his gaze again.

"The answer is quite obvious, but I cannot follow through. It's just not right," she said.

"Well, what wrong is there in taking a cold-hearted rapist's soul in exchange for this baby's?" he asked, surprising himself.

"You make a valid point, but that is not how a reaper should think. Death is but a part of life. Without it, there would be no chance for the new. A process of natural selection: the fittest survive, and this child is not a prime example of that. Stronger children will live on and carry on the human race."

He stared at her perplexed. "Wow... right out the mouth of Darwin himself," he mocked. "You've certainly memorized your facts, but, alas, I cannot agree with the words of a two-hundred-and fifty-year-old naturalist. This is personal. I've given in to my weakness, but ironically, I find myself unable to care. Just like before, but different..."

"You could get into a lot of trouble," she pointed out.

"I know... but guess what? I don't care!" he laughed, composing himself yet again. This was a serious matter; he ought to stay professional.

She remained pokerfaced for a while, until she finally gave in to his request.

"All right, but I'm throwing all blame in your direction."

"Of course, I expected as much..."

He got his list out and gave her the name of his gunshot victim.

"See, you don't even have to search far. He's in this very hospital. I'm kind in that way..."

"I'm not used to reaping adults, and I assume he won't come willingly."

"He won't, but they're pretty easy to handle. Remember, he's not going to the good place... I have my own methods of... uh-hum 'justice', but you don't have to be as unforgiving."

"I'm familiar with your work, reaper, like everyone else. You're infamous."

"Yeah," he laughed. "I'm quite the psychopath, aren't I?"

"And you only remind me of why I feel reluctant to give you this child..."

He looked confused for a moment, until he finally understood her meaning. "Oh no, it's not like that. I love children," he quipped.

"I know who it's really for," she said, glancing over at Molly again.

He followed her gaze, looking sheepish. "Please don't tell anyone. I still have that fearful reputation to uphold."

"I can't promise that... Well, it's time you took this child from my arms. I trust you know what to do?"

Nny's eyes widened as he stared at that sleeping, tiny form in her arms. "I... I've never put a soul back inside a body, but I know how to pull one out just as gently."

"Well keep that in mind. I must be off. I have a rapist to reap."

"You sure do," he said, cheerfully. "Have fun!"

She placed the baby in his arm next. He was aware of how small and premature it was, but wow... it was like holding a china doll. So delicate; he was afraid to break it.

He never realised how absorbed he was until it opened its eyes. It gazed up with those clouded, little orbs, and he felt the warmth spreading through his chest like honey.

"Why, hello there..." he said.

It squeaked back at him. He was sure he melted...

"Yes, I know, but I will put you back soon enough. You're a bad baby coming into this world before your time..."

He gazed up at the woman again with that broad smile. She watched him fascinated.

His smile vanished. "I... I should probably go and—"

"Don't feel embarrassed. Just because you're a reaper doesn't mean you can't show a little compassion from time to time. No point in mimicking the dead, they say..."

"You're right," he said. "I hate that."

"I must go. I'll see you around, reaper..."

"Thank you for your cooperation."

"You're welcome, but just this once. Next time, I won't be so gracious."

And she disappeared at last to go and reap her new victim.

Nny turned around and faced Molly. She stared at that tiny form in his arm, and gasped in delight.

"You did it!" she squealed.

"Yes, I did, for you... Consider yourself very lucky."

She ran up to him and gave him a big, fat hug. His hands were a little tied up with his scythe and the baby (there's two things he never thought he'd carry at the same time), but if it weren't so, he would have maybe hugged her too...

"I'm sorry I said all those nasty things to you. You are good," she said.

"That's okay, Molly. You're forgiven... again. And you may be right; I guess there is some goodness in me after all. It certainly wasn't there before. I'm so out-of-character right now..." he said, looking a little disturbed.

"What will you do now? Will you get into trouble?"

"Well, that depends on if I decide to reap this baby or not..."

Her eyes widened in horror.

"But I won't. Your expression, so priceless..." he chuckled.

Nny passed his scythe to her. She held it up, despite it being taller than she was, but that wasn't her only problem. The blood and all that...

Next, he turned his attention to the incubator, watching those medics trying to bring the baby back.

Obviously, they would get all the credit, but he sensed Molly's sister was a believer in miracles and such. His good deed won't completely be in vain. If only she knew it was that first bad omen she felt on the road that saved her child...

He stood over the incubator, and placed the baby down as if he was placing him back inside his crib. He feared he may have caused the baby discomfort, but all was well. The baby slept soundly once again.

Next, he snatched that ventilator out of a surprised medic's hand, and put it back into the baby's mouth (the medic thought the hospital was haunted after that, which it was).

His tiny lungs breathed once again, as Molly released a sigh. It was long overdue.

Maybe everything will be all right now. Her family won't be torn apart, and she can finally prove herself as a guardian.

---

A/N: I will let you in on a secret: I was never going to let that baby die…

I was inspired to write that scene because I was reading a magazine on the train about 'real life stories'. I've given up on celebrity and fashion magazines, as I now like to read about real people. But the down side to some of these stories is that a lot of them are about grieving couples who lost their babies. The one magazine I was reading was full of stories like this, which is sad. So I got real life in the end… I was feeling pretty down, and I even avoided a story with a picture of a couple standing over an empty crib; a picture's worth a thousand words they say… To cut it short, if I could have changed the fates of those babies, I probably would, which would be wrong (take into account what the reaping woman said. She is right from a non-human perspective), but I had the opportunity to change the fate of this baby, though I used Nny as a puppet. I'm glad about the turn out.

For your convenience, the baby never survived in the 'best possible scenario universe' (may not be so ideal after all). I've run the scene through my head with Dr. Molly McCormack and her patient Johnny C., which I'll leave for you to picture yourself…

So this is dedicated to the memories of those babies who lost their lives, and their parents, who I hope will recover and find strength again. Update: especially to a friend. I know your baby girl has found peace... god bless you.

I also liked writing that birth scene that Molly had the joy of witnessing in part. It was bitter-sweet, like life.

The way Nny takes the ventilator off the medic cracks me up for some reason. He was all like "Give me that breathing apparatus. You don't know how to do it, I do! (okay, that sounds more like Zim). Yeah, she was a trained medic.

To make up for Nny's OOCness, I even had Nny remark on it himself. I've said it before that I prefer canon Nny. Jhonen has a very satirical humour, and babies and children may even suffer in his comics (not on Nny's account might I add. He has never hurt a child, just horrible adults mostly, though he did mess up Squee a little).

But because it's a cartoon, it's parodied horrendously (there's even a scene in Squee where a dog gets run over, and crawls around with his broken legs). I can dismiss all that because it's just a comic, and an ugly version of life in general. If I took it to heart, I wouldn't be able to enjoy most things. It keeps me sane.

I hope you like my version of Jhonen's evil, psychotic characters anyway…

Here's some references to the comic. Feel free to skip the rest if you wish, or scroll down to IZ notes.

I've never mentioned, but I gave Nny glowing eyes because I like how Jhonen draws him as a dark silhouette, and all you can see is his eyes, and sometimes his smiling teeth. Did you get on to that? Good.

Also, Happy Noodle Boy upsets the public very often, and even made a kid cry when he disrupted a funeral (I find that scene hilarious).

Nny also disproves of physical contact (he finds the need to 'mate' troubling, as well as any other human need, though he's not a virgin because of something a little burger statue (Reverend Meat) told him about a girl he did things to (and she also did things to him). Nny even got mad when he was accused of raping a girl, and when he met the real rapist, he killed him. He even said this when he was killing him: "Though this gives me no absolution, I would never do what you did to that girl!".

He's not trying to paint himself as the good guy (he even criticised the guy Jimmy or 'Mmy' for admiring him because he's the villain). He just has no interest in flesh in that sense, and people in general sicken him, so he doesn't want to touch them in that way. I can make him sound a little hypocritical at times, and canon Nny can be I suppose, but I should just mention these things.

I decided that Squee should grow up to be a doctor. In theory, his life should have ended up pretty bad, yet I didn't play with that theme. Besides, in the alternative universe, he would have met Molly at medical skool. Cute. Though of course in this universe, Squee's possible future wife died at five. Typical. His bear Shmee told him in a dream that he absorbs all his fears and nightmares, so I guess that's what kept him sane.

I know Nny harvesting those souls was pretty bleak, but it's his job. I'll admit I did like that Bagel scene...

Karma is one of my favourite original characters to write; she's crazy and twisted. Of course, karma doesn't always have to be the bad kind.

Melody was the same girl who came for Billy the dog. Her and Nny weren't supposed to meet (they wouldn't, since they harvest in different areas), but because I had Nny reap an animal abuser, I thought they could. I felt kinda sorry for her, since she's just twelve, but she's a gentle and compassionate soul. Nny, ironically, has killed animals himself, as you can see a dead dog and cat in the background in some panels, and of course there's Nailbunny; she doesn't have to know.

The Rainbow Bridge thing is a new addition; I also added it in chapter eighteen when Zim watches Billy crossover. I hadn't heard of it when I first wrote this story, but I've come across it on the internet (mostly as a condolence when people lose their pets; I've joined a number of pet loss societies, because I believe that losing an animal can be as painful as losing a family member; there is no time to stop grieving).

When Nny helped her harvest the dog's soul, I used it to help him prepare for that hard scene near the end. Plus, everything Melody said about how she wished she could prevent her souls' deaths, I had Nny mirror her outlook later, and act upon it. Will he get into trouble now? Stay tuned.

When Nny says he has to hurry on home and 'party' is a personal joke aimed at my myself. I gave up on a night out with friends to write some of this chapter. Never let your writing get in the way of your social life (I'm not much fun).

Other references that aren't a part of IZ or JtHM are seen in Friends, where Chandler asks that pregnant girl whether she thinks childbirth or getting kicked in the nuts is more painful. Though of course there is not one who could say for sure (like Chandler says). Then there's that Little Women reference, which could be another Friends reference, since Joey reads the book after he trades in the Shining with Rachel, and then he gets upset when she blurts out about Beth's death (I suppose I watched Friends too much). Then there's A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens when the people from Scrooge's past, present and future can't see nor hear him. Plus, the ghost of Christmas future looks like the Grim Reaper, so it fit when Nny made the comparison. I think when Squee snaps about his name is a reference to Scrubs on my part, when they call that doctor Dr. Beardface (I watch too much TV). Then there's Darwin's theory of Natural Selection, which I'm not going into too much detail about. That reaping lady more or less covered it (she's been reading her text books).

Oh, and don't forget Dobby from Harry Potter. He whacks himself with a lamp too when he's being disobedient. RIP Dobby.

And finally IZ stuff… I know; I never forgot that this is supposed to be an IZ fanfiction, but I take it that you will all get those references anyway.

Please forgive those insinuations about Skoodge's sexuality. He doesn't have a crush on Zim or Grappa (and I don't know what they did at the Academy. Sorry about giving you that image. Yeah, that's a Big Bang Theory reference when the guys go on that expedition and their heating ran out too). I try to be light about it. You see it a lot on TV now (they did it on Scrubs). So I guess it's just bromance or whatever, though in Skoodge's case it's unrequited love. Zim hates him.

I'm an avid fan of the Skoodge and Tenn ship (he saved her from Meekrob after all), so I see Skoodge as being straight, though it's his business whether he is or not.

Skoodge is a little sensitive in my portrayal, but try to consider everything he's been through. His rejection from the Tallest really took its toll on him, but he may have found a new friend at last (one who actually likes him).

Thank you for reading again, and see you next week (though we won't physically be seeing each other. Why do I write that?)